Page 16 of Remade (Hillcroft Group #3)

I brushed some dirt away from the map and looked up the hill.

Almost there, right? Maybe ten minutes to go?

I hoped I wasn’t the last one to return.

Did anyone quit?

Shit. The thought hadn’t occurred to me a single time so far, but chances were at least one recruit was out.

As long as I wasn’t the last one to get back, I’d be thrilled. Miguel had probably been back for hours already, and Tanner had scored really well during field exercises in the Shenandoah. I could accept Shawn finishing before me too. He was extremely resilient.

With my heart rate down to 150, I picked up the pace again and ran upward as fast as I could.

The hysteria settled within me, suppressed by determination and anticipation.

I was almost there.

Sweat poured down my face, my heart started pounding again, and every muscle in my body protested, but I didn’t care. The trees were parting up ahead, revealing more and more sky. Pristine white sky.

Closer.

A little closer.

I climbed over a fallen tree and almost fell on the way down. Almost.

Then I started hearing voices.

“Recruit Watts inbound!”

“Riggs, get the medic kit! He’ll need fluids too!”

A whimper slipped out, and my eyes flooded with tears.

Oh my God, I couldn’t wait to see Bo. I needed to see the laugh lines that appeared when he smiled, the way the corners of his eyes crinkled, his perfect teeth, the warmth and charisma in each smirk, and the scruff that glinted lighter shades of brown and gray in the sun.

I grabbed on to a root and pulled myself higher, one foot on a rock, the other in the mud, hands coated in dirt and grime. My face was probably the same. My clothes were brown now. I’d only brought one change of clothes, and I’d bothered to wash them precisely one time. The only portion of my hygiene routine I’d been vigilant with was brushing my teeth—up until two days ago when I’d snapped my toothbrush in half and dropped it in a river.

Ten more feet.

It was a steep climb in this area, and I didn’t have the energy to find a better spot. I hauled myself up with sheer will, keeping my eyes fixed on the bright light ahead.

I sniffled and found purchase in a patch of tall grass. A few more steps. I grunted and cursed—and of course I got weepy again. I couldn’t fucking help it. I’d made it. The low brick building came into view, and so did the four operators standing outside the gates.

Bo, Coach, Riggs, and Rose.

I got to my feet with half a mind to kiss the ground just for being flat, and I jogged toward the men.

You made it, son. You made it.

I choked up.

Bo looked like he was torn between smiling and worrying to death, and he took off too. He ran for me.

I couldn’t walk another step. I slowed down and planted my hands on my thighs, and I just panted and gasped like a madman.

“Lie down, pup. You did it.”

I sniffled and shook my head. “I wanna collapse in the shower. If I… If I lie down now, I ain’t comin’ up.”

He chuckled and squeezed me to him, essentially holding me up. “Fair enough. Let’s get you inside right now, then.” He pressed a kiss to my temple, which I was sure he regretted already. “Oh, you smell amazing, baby.”

I choked out a laugh and wiped my cheek with my arm.

My legs were jelly, so I had to walk slowly.

“I fucking did it,” I whimpered.

“You sure did, Operator Quinn.”

Just like that, my back straightened, and I flashed my gaze to meet his.

Operator Quinn.

He smiled and touched my muddy cheek. “I’m so goddamn proud of you.”

Operator Quinn.

“I’m an operator now,” I croaked.

“Yup.” The smile reached his eyes, and it was fucking gorgeous. “You ready for a medical in the shower? I’mma search you for rashes and botfly larvae.”

I shuddered, grossed out already. “You’ll find plenty of rashes, but I think I’ve evaded botflies.”

“That’s good. You’ll still need a thorough check, though.” He smiled as we walked past the others.

“Welcome back, Operator Quinn,” Danny said with a smirk. “I’ve texted your uncles already.”

I mustered a tired grin. “Thank you, sir.”

Bo let them know he’d give me an exam inside, and we continued into the courtyard.

“Do you need the medic kit?” Riggs asked.

“I’ll grab another one inside,” Bo responded. “Save that one for Tanner and Shawn.”

Okay, now I had to know. “Who made it back so far?”

“Just you and Miguel,” he answered. Holy crap, so I was in second place? “He stumbled out of the jungle before lunch a few hours ago. He managed to fracture his leg during a fall on day twelve, so Hyatt came up and flew him outta here shortly before you showed up. We don’t exactly have an X-ray machine up here.”

Wow. Day twelve. Miguel had finished in first place after spending the last couple of days with a messed-up leg. Talk about impressive.

“He’s gonna make a badass operator,” I commented.

“Definitely.” He cupped my elbow and assisted me up the steps. “So will you.”

I exhaled unsteadily, suddenly in too much pain to revel in compliments. Sweet Jesus, my legs were done. With the adrenaline having faded, I had nothing but Bo holding me up.

“No dropouts?” I gritted out.

“Ah. Well. Unfortunately. Two of them—which we can talk about after you’ve rested.”

Aw, man. But it couldn’t be Tanner or Shawn. They were on their way up.

“Not Gabriella, right?”

Bo sighed and smiled ruefully. “Zander and Maxine.”

Oh. That sucked.

“I caved for about an hour or so on day six,” I admitted. “I was so ready to go home.”

He hummed, ushering me straight to the shower room. “So did I back in the day. Thinkin’ about quitting is normal.”

I guessed so.

I sniffled. “Then I pissed on a beetle to drown it, but it survived.”

Bo coughed around a laugh and stared at me incredulously.

Maybe it made me a smidge defensive. “Don’t look at me like that,” I said. “I never wanna see another plant in my life, much less those goddamn insects. They have zero respect for personal space.”

He rumbled a laugh that echoed in the shower room, and he hugged me to him again. “Zero respect for personal space when you’re in their territory? The fuckin’ nerve of those little shits.”

Whatever.

I wasn’t in the mood for Team Bug.

“Let’s get you naked, operator.” He grabbed my backpack first and tossed it in the corner. “You might wanna sit down too. You’re a little loopy-lookin’.”

Pfft. “I’m not loopy.”

He smirked and quirked a brow. “You haven’t even noticed that my exam’s already begun.”

Wait, what?

“Huh?”

He approached me again and started undoing my belt. “I checked your pulse and temp already. I watched how you walked in order to rule out strains and fractures. I made sure you talked so I could get a sense of your mental state.”

I just stared at him.

He smiled and kissed me on the nose. “Get naked,” he repeated. “I’ll go grab a medic kit for those rashes. Then I’ll want a play-by-play of every living thing you encountered.”

Um, all right.

I scratched the side of my head. Perhaps I was a little out of it.

“Baby, wake up.”

Nuh-uh.

Not a chance.

I shook my head and rolled over, burying my face in Bo’s pillow. “Go’way.”

He chuckled and kissed my neck. “I need an hour of your time, and then you can sleep through the night in my arms where you belong.” The bastard smacked my ass. “It’s dinner—and our traditionally informal ceremony.”

Oh, but…couldn’t it wait till tomorrow? Although, I was very hungry. After my extremely long shower and exam, I’d brushed my teeth, jumped into a pair of sweats and Bo’s hoodie, and then I’d scarfed down a protein bar on my way to crash in his bed.

“Emerson made his famous chicken stew. With extra butter for the weight y’all lost.”

My stomach snarled.

I’d heard about that stew.

“Is everyone back?” I asked groggily.

“Yeah. Riley got a power nap too. You got five hours, so there’s no reason to complain.”

Five… Five hours?! I lifted my head off the pillow to glare at him. “I’ve averaged two hours a night the past two fucking weeks, you rat bastard.”

“We’re saying the same thing.” He was messing with me. “Rise and shine.”

He grabbed my hand and literally dragged me up, and I’d be pissy with him if he weren’t so affectionate and insistent on keeping me close.

“I haven’t lost that much weight,” I mumbled.

“Nine pounds ain’t nothing, pup. But we’ll get that sorted in a couple of months.” He kissed my temple and kept his arm around me.

I yawned and followed him to the mess hall that seated way more people than I suspected had been here at the same time. I got that they hosted larger groups every now and then, but I couldn’t imagine a scenario in which they flew thirty people up here.

“By the way, your phone’s been going off,” he murmured. “I texted Darius and your aunt Laura just to let them know you were asleep.”

“Oh. Thank you.” I appreciated that. I’d call them tomorrow, including Aunt Laura.

She’d only met Bo and Alex once, but it’d caused a shift of some sort in our relationship. Almost as if the air was clearer. We texted more frequently, at least. And I suspected she was relieved I had a boyfriend. Maybe it took some pressure off her.

Bo and I were the last to enter the mess hall, and the first thing I noticed was how dim the lighting was. There were candles on the tables too. And it smelled great. Like grilled chicken and tomatoes and garlic and herbs and freshly baked bread.

My mouth watered.

Everyone sat together at one long table, with instructors on one side and recruits on the other. So, Bo and I each took a side, and I shared a tired grin with Tanner as I sat down next to him.

“Sorry, we’re late,” Bo said. “It took a moment to get that one out of bed.”

Sure, blame me. Throw me under the bus right away.

Operator Payne rose to his feet and smiled faintly, but I could tell it was a moment of gravity. He turned solemn as he glanced down at us.

“This evening marks the end of your training, and you’re no longer Hillcroft recruits,” he told us. “I’ve had the privilege of observing the journey you’ve taken since last summer, and we are all honored to call you colleagues from here on out.” He put a hand on Rose’s shoulder, and he stood up too.

He cleared his throat. “Em’s right. It’s been a privilege. I’m proud of how far y’all’ve come.” He accepted a printout from Coach. “In times like these, I sometimes wish this ceremony were a bit grander—but we use it as a reminder instead. Your careers will bring you long hours, spikes of adrenaline, bouts of incredible boredom, worry, determination, happiness, and relief. And rarely anything grand.”

We knew that part. No medals, no recognition.

“Nevertheless, this moment is significant,” he went on. “I want you all to stand up and, for the first time, recite the Hillcroft Operator’s Creed as new operators.”

I let out a breath and stood up, and I had to admit I felt a little nervous. Grand or not, Rose was right. This was significant. This was what we’d trained so hard for.

Poor Miguel was missing out! I hoped they spoiled him at the hospital in Quito.

Coach took the lead, and the rest of us chimed in.

We serve in silence

We serve without names

We wear no insignia

We show no fear

We could be the last you’ll ever see

The ones who protect

Those who bring destruction

Or the ones you’ll never know

If you know our history

You’re one of us

If you know our history

You’re one of few

We will never underestimate a foe

Or surrender to him

We will never be alone

Even when we’re on our own

We will not seek glory

But we will be victorious

Because we are operators of the griffin

And what we’ve started, we shall finish

Holy fuck, this was happening right now. I locked eyes with Bo across the table, and he sent me a subtle wink.

I bit my lip.

Riggs spoke up next. “We hereby declare that the remaining recruits of this year’s training are junior operators with the Hillcroft Group, and you all have appointments with HR on Wednesday at oh-nine-hundred to get your operator numbers and sign your contracts. After that, you have two weeks off before you’re officially on active duty and can be called in for your first assignment.” He nodded for Rose to take over again.

My stomach twisted with anticipation and the feeling of accomplishment. It was a big boost to my confidence.

Operator Quinn.

“Before we dig in,” Rose said, reading from the paper he held. “Your requests for future areas of expertise have been reviewed, and I’m happy to tell Operator Travers that you’re joining our unit of operators who often get sent to Africa. Operators Ortiz, Kelley, and Quinn, you keep polishing your Spanish. You’ll be seeing a lot of South America in the future.”

I exchanged a quick smile with Bo.

“Last but not least, Operator Grey, you will join our Asia unit,” Rose said. “Congratulations, operators. May the griffin be with you always.”

“Fuck yeah!” Tanner legit fist-pumped the air.

Coach chuckled. “Just keep in mind your preferences won’t mean shit if we need you elsewhere in the world.”

Yeah, yeah, we were aware. We’d go where we were told to, whether it was the Middle East, Europe, or the continent we’d chosen. Actually, I’d chosen both South America and Europe. Bo had once picked South America and Africa, and that hadn’t stopped the operation handlers from sending him to Asia and Russia and wherever else.

“Let’s eat!” Payne said and sat down. “And let us know if any of you want to volunteer to come here next summer to place markers at the posts for future operators.”

“Not it,” I said quickly. “Too soon, sir.”

“Yeah, let our insect bites fade into hazy memories first,” Tanner agreed. “First thing I’m gonna do when I get home is kill all my plants.”

I laughed and reached for the bread basket. Man, did I feel the same way.

“Like you have plants, son,” Coach laughed.

Tanner scowled. “I have six! My mom waters them for me. I’mma tell her not to. So, yeah.”

Bo shook his head in amusement. “Eight recruits went out. Six deforesters came back.”

“Hear, hear!” I raised my empty glass. “And fuck those birds too!”